Tooth decay prevention
Preventing
tooth decay begins with a daily homecare regime that includes
brushing after breakfast, and brushing and flossing at night after
your last meal. Removing the plaque and bacteria that build on all
surfaces of a tooth daily is extremely important. Also, limiting
sugars in your diet, and when you do eat sugars brush immediately
after eating. Brushing within the first 20 minutes of eating sugars
prevents the PH of the oral environment from dropping to an acidic
level which decays the teeth. If brushing is not possible rinse with
water, or chew sugarless gum.
It is also important to protect the chewing surfaces of the molar
teeth in the back. These teeth have deep pits and grooves that a
tooth brush bristle can't fit into to clean. These pits and grooves
become habitats for plaque and bacteria which ultimately lead to
decay. To prevent these teeth from decaying a protective coating can
be placed over the pits and grooves, called a "sealant." Sealants
wear out; but, they can be replaced without any destruction to the
tooth.
Another important step in preventing tooth decay is regular
dental exams and cleanings. Dental cleanings remove the problem
plaque and calculus, hard deposits, that form on a tooth and trap
bacteria that lead to decay. Also, frequent exams with necessary
x-rays can discover the start of decay when it is still small and
can easily be removed.
Finally, topical fluoride treatments can be applied to tooth and
root surfaces. Fluoride is a mineral that gets absorbed into the
tooth structure. It then makes the tooth more resistant to acids and
decay.
Regular dental check-ups at Pacifico Dental Care should begin no later than 18 months of age.
If you have any questions or need more information, don't hesitate to
contact our office at (610) 588-2722.
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